RV Business: Dave Humphreys, A Decisive And Progressive Leader

The original article appeared in RV Business. 

The RV Industry Association did a good job of recapping the industry life and times of long-time President Dave Humphreys upon his passing last week (May 12) at the age of 86 – hard as it may be to adequately summarize the impact of an individual who ultimately reshaped and professionalized the entire industry in his tenure from 1979 to 2006 as president of the Reston, Va.-based trade group.

Now that celebration-of-life funeral arrangements have been set for 1 p.m., Saturday, May 28, at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, W.V., followed by a nearby reception, those who knew Dave over the years have had a chance to reflect on his impact in the industry just as RV Industry Association President & CEO Craig Kirby did in the trade association’s initial release upon Humphreys’ passing.

Craig Kirby

“Dave’s impact on the industry is immeasurable,” said Kirby. “His passion for the RV industry was always evident and he played a critical role in elevating our entire industry. The emphasis that I along with the entire RV Industry Association team, place on unity is thanks in no small part the legacy Dave left behind.”

Under his leadership, Kirby added, the association weathered energy crises, economic downturns and global conflicts while promoting RV ownership to a growing and receptive audience through the creation in 1997 of the Go RVing Coalition in conjunction with the RV Dealers Association (RVDA).

Here’s what some others had to say:

Justin Humphreys

Airstream Inc. VP of Sales and Dave’s son Justin Humphreys: “Dad received a lot of awards and recognitions throughout his career, and he was very proud of the fact these recognitions highlighted the entire RVIA organization and the incredible efforts that went into these successes behind the scenes by so many people.

“As impressive as those things are professionally, I can tell you they paled in comparison to the pride he had for his family. Dad was the patriarch of a large family consisting of 10 children, 24 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Family was everything to my father and the fact he was able to raise so many children while maintaining a very demanding job really is remarkable.

“I should add that my Dad was most proud of the unity award the industry provides each year with his name attached to it. He understood the need for the industry to have a united voice in solving the most complicated problems and often highlighted other industries where such unity was unfortunately missing.

“Late in his life, as Dad underwent cancer treatments, he saw so many children going through the same thing, which broke his heart. As a result, he started a fund through St. Jude’s called the Dave Humphreys Double Whammy Fund to help support the most vulnerable. Whether professionally or personally, through life’s biggest challenges, he was a champion of unity and goodwill for others. I am so proud of this incredible quality of his.”

 

Tom Faludy

Former Coalition Chair and Carefree of Colorado President Tom Faludy: “There is no question that we, as an industry, are as successful as we are not just because of the hundreds of brilliant entrepreneurs who risked it all to manufacture ever more compelling products, dealers who committed to make their customers happy and suppliers who kept raising the bar but also because David Humphreys’ leadership and gravitas ushered us into a new era.

“Fact is, in his general demeanor and professional approach, he groomed us to become – and to be perceived as — an industry of a higher order. He stepped up our game and thank goodness he did. God bless Dave Humphreys and his family.”   

 

Jeff Rutherford

Current RVIA Chairman and Airxcel Inc. President Jeff Rutherford: “When I first became involved in the RV industry, Dave Humphries was the RV Industry Association's president. His focus on industry unity and overall industry growth is what inspired me to become active in the RV Industry Association and eventually join the board of directors. I see Dave’s legacy every day in the work that the RV Industry Association does to help shape and support our industry.”

 

Gary LaBella

Former RV Industry Association Vice President and CMO Gary LaBella: “Dave’s glorious life has reached its end, but what he meant to me has no ending. He was my cherished boss for three decades, always supportive and inspiring and always a joy to be with when the work was done. My love for Dave Humphreys is eternal.”

 

Gregg Fore

Former RV Industry Association Chair, Dicor CEO and current RVB Partner Gregg Fore: “Dave, who always believed that the RV industry and RVIA could do more, led us to work toward independence from government regulations through self-policing and standards. He believed strongly in the innate leadership within the industry and worked to help various opinion leaders stay focused on important issues and also took care to represent us in areas where we weren’t familiar.”

 

Mel Adams

Former Airxcel Inc. President/CEO and RV Industry Association Chair Mel Adams: “I am deeply saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. Working with Dave on a multitude of projects, problems and opportunities, all for the benefit of the RV industry over a period of 25 years, was a personal pleasure and reward.

“Dave was a uniquely talented leader with the vision of a bigger, influential and stronger RV industry led by the RV Industry Association. His tireless work and accomplishments toward that vision are admired by current industry leaders. His name is synonymous with the RV Industry Association.”

 

Jim Sheldon

Former Monaco Coach Corp. President Jim Sheldon: “David J. Humphries will be remembered in my opinion as the single most timely leader our industry association has ever had. Without his guiding hand, the RV industry undoubtedly would have wallowed in mediocrity as just another cottage industry. Instead, he took charge during each and every one of the crises we faced, and each time we got stronger.

“Dave worked tirelessly to bring about the formation of a true national organization called the RV Industry Association and one of his earliest accomplishments was keeping the association afloat during the first Arab oil boycott in 1974. He then masterfully navigated the RV Industry Association through the stormy days of 1979 and 1980 when RV’s were labeled ‘gas guzzlers.’ This was followed by our own dicey internal debate over the creation of the Go RVing advertising program. And it went on and on.

“One of Dave’s greatest talents was that of the unifier. Working with our dealer partners within RVDA and the state associations, he was able to identify common ground where each segment could be satisfied. Dave set the bar very high for those who will follow. That’s the way it should be. Thank you, Dave. You will be missed.”